Erie council receives progress update on public safety complex and EOC; officials outline costs, timeline and outreach plans

City staff updated the Erie council at a study session on the public safety complex and emergency operations center (EOC), detailing Phase 1 construction and equipment purchases, Phase 2 programming and schedule, funding sources and community outreach plans.

Jason, the staff lead for the presentation, said the project traces to a 2022 feasibility study and a 2023 cost analysis and noted the city purchased the site in 2023 for $2.7 million using ARP funds. "So tonight... we're going to walk you through an update on the public safety complex and EOC," Jason told the council as he outlined Phase 1 scope and costs.

Why it matters: staff said the work will centralize fire, police and emergency operations, replace aging equipment, and free cramped municipal space at Marsh Street used today for evidence and vehicle processing. Council members pressed for clarity on schedule and costs and urged proactive community engagement about the facility's neighborhood siting.

Key facts and schedule - Phase 1 was divided into 1A (roof repairs) and 1B (four prime trade contracts). The roof contract started contractually in August and the four prime contracts in late October; staff said completion for Phase 1 is targeted for fall 2026. - Design for Phase 1 totaled about $374,000 funded from Urban Core Economic Recovery funds plus $25,000 from the general fund. Jason named Roth Mars as the phase-one design team. - The roof contract was originally bid at ~$684,000; two change orders (~$69,000 and ~$44,000) brought the current roof contract to about $797,000. Staff said the roof bid came in under earlier budget estimates and was paid from bond proceeds so ARP interest remained available. - Prime contracts listed in the presentation included a general contractor (Perry, ~$1.1M), electrical (~$844,000), plumbing (~$577,000) and mechanical (~$575,000); staff said those firms are local. - Equipment for the fire shop and vehicle maintenance (post lifts, mobile columns, air compressor, SCBA washer/extractor, gear dryer and shop tools) will add roughly $500,000 to Phase 1; Mohawk Lifts was named as a vendor on the upcoming council agenda.

EOC and Phase 2 planning Chief Laura described the EOC as "basically a hub in any kind of emergency or disaster where all the entities can come together," noting the EOC would include communication systems, logistics space for distributions (food/water), and room to support sustained operations. The city envisions consolidating evidence storage and processing, crime-scene work, and other operations currently scattered across facilities.

Staff outlined a Phase 2 timeline: finalize programming/scope in February 2026, issue an RFP and select a design consultant in May, complete plans/specs by September, award construction in the fall and plan construction in 2027. A Miller Brothers building roof (northeast corner, ~14,000 sq ft) was proposed for inclusion in Phase 2 roof work.

Funding and fiscal oversight Jason told the council the city has a $20.5 million bond authorized for the project. Staff said the city has roughly $14.5 million in remaining bond proceeds and reported a federal appropriation of $2.6 million had cleared the U.S. House and was pending Senate approval; if the appropriation passes the Senate, staff estimated roughly $17 million would be available for Phase 2, subject to final design and actual bids.

Melissa from the finance office clarified budgeting mechanics and fund codes: she said the ordinance passed second reading Dec. 17 and that bond proceeds are recorded in fund 021 so council can reconcile what has been encumbered and spent. She told the council how line items were assigned (construction vs. equipment) so that fiscal staff and councilors can trace expenditures.

Council concerns and community outreach Several council members urged robust community engagement because some residents have raised concerns about siting parts of the complex near east-side neighborhoods described in comments as higher-crime areas. Councilman Horton said the city should "debunk some of the stuff that's being said or at least be able to answer our constituents' questions," and suggested tours and local events to build comfort. Staff invited councilors and community members to tour the site and promised outreach planning as part of later phases.

Operational benefits and Marsh Street Officials said the complex will permit moving bulky evidence storage and vehicle processing out of Marsh Street (where staff currently use shipping containers and a temporary trailer), freeing municipal garage space and allowing remediation of Marsh Street for office use. Chief Laura described leaking and long-retention evidence at Marsh Street and said moving evidence to a secure check-in at the new complex would improve preservation and chain of custody.

Next steps Staff will finalize Phase 2 programming in coming weeks, draft and issue the RFP for design services, and report back as design proposals and bids arrive. The council also signaled attention to cost escalation risk and fiscal constraints: staff said the city has engaged PFM to produce five-year projections and debt analyses to inform longer-term decisions.

The council scheduled caucus to begin at 5:30 p.m. starting next week to allow extra time for detailed agenda review; the study session concluded and the council will receive formal agenda items (equipment contracts and others) at the next regular meeting.